Trump’s Social-Media Assault on Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Over Immigration Ad

On Saturday, President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to repost a series of critical messages targeting Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.). The posts, drawn from X, called for Salazar’s replacement and labeled her a “back stabber.” CNN counted at least 14 reposted messages; Newsweek reported 13. The flare-up follows Salazar’s release of a campaign advertisement filmed outside the White House that accused the administration’s immigration enforcement of “going too far.”

Newsweek

Salazar, a Cuban-American representing Florida’s 27th Congressional District—one of the nation’s most Hispanic districts (over 70 % Hispanic)—won her 2020 seat after defeating former Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala with Trump’s endorsement. She secured an 80 % primary victory in August and has been a vocal critic of the president’s “MAGA” immigration stance, especially after ICE arrests peaked at roughly 51,000 in August, a record for the second Trump administration.

CNN

• ICE arrests: ~51,000 in August; >46,000 in July.

CNN

• Salazar’s ad cited that 50 % of the 50,000 people detained in July had no criminal record.

CNN

• Polling odds:

Newsweek

• September 1 – Polymarket gave Salazar an 82 % chance of winning versus 16 % for Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez.

Newsweek

• By the following Sunday, odds fell to 64 % for Salazar and rose to 37 % for Rodriguez.

Newsweek

• Tulchin Research poll (conducted Sept 8-13, 600 likely voters) showed Salazar at 47 % and Rodriguez at 46 %.

Newsweek

• Bendixen & Amandi International poll (Aug 25-30, 600 likely voters) reported a 45 % tie for both candidates.

Newsweek

• The official declined to comment on whether Trump would withdraw his endorsement.

Politico

• Rep. Salazar (Face the Nation, CNN): Described a “very good conversation” with Trump after the ad, saying he was “very receptive” to her warning that Hispanic voters feel “betrayed.” She also noted that Trump “listened.”

CNN

• Trump’s campaign allies: Long-time supporter Laura Loomer and other Trump-aligned voices have urged the president to abandon his endorsement of Salazar.

Newsweek

• Multiple X users shared by Trump labeled Salazar a “back stabber” and demanded a “NEW Republican to Replace Salazar.”

Newsweek

• Juan Pablo, quoted in Newsweek, urged, “Trump must remove his endorsement of her.”

Newsweek

• Local Florida Republicans and a former GOP strategist, cited by Newsweek, argued the ad “back-fired” and could jeopardize the party’s hold on the district.

Politico

• Number of reposted messages: CNN reports “at least 14” critical posts; Newsweek counts “13.”

Newsweek

• Endorsement status: Trump told reporters he still supports Salazar (CNN, Politico), yet the White House official’s non-answer and the surge of calls for a primary challenger leave the exact status ambiguous. No source provides a definitive statement that Trump has withdrawn his endorsement.

Newsweek

• “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.” — White House – “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far.” — White House

Newsweek

• “Trump must remove his endorsement of her.” — Juan Pablo – “Trump must remove his endorsement of her.” — Juan Pablo

Newsweek